With the weather changing, those with chronic illnesses such as asthma and COPD need to take precaution.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma are among the most common lung diseases. Health officials say that the recent moisture in the air brings upon problems for those with the illnesses.
Registered Respiratory Therapist Steven Bouffard says that barometric pressure drops when the seasons change.
“Folks with lung diseases are very susceptible to the change of barometric pressure because their ability to diffuse oxygen through their lungs is limited,” says Bouffard. “So when the barometric pressure drops, it makes it harder for the oxygen to diffuse into the blood and they run into problems.”
Bouffard also says that keeping away from smoke, exercising, and a good diet can all help those with the lung diseases.